Letter-box.



Patented Mar. 26, IBM.

W. L. VESTAL.

LETTER BOX.

(Application filed Sept. 17, 1900.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Nuclei.)

NEXT g (No Model.)

\1/ IIIII IIIIIIIIllllmllllllI'llIlllllllllllllll'llllllllll Patented Mar. 26, I901.

W. L. VESTAL.

LETTER BOX.

(Application med Sept. 17, 1900) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

W1, W/eafag m Nrrn STATES ATENT FFICE.

LETTER-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,825, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed September 17, 1900. Serial No. 80,357. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARNER L. VEsTAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Bernardino, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Letter-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to letter-boxes designed for street use; and one object of the invention is to utilize the street letter-box as an indicator or medium for displaying information, notices, &c.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the opening of the door of the box will automatically operate indicating devices.

The construction of the improvement will be fully described hereinafter in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and its novel features will be defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a letter-box embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the box looking toward the front thereof, and Fig. 4 is a do: tail perspective view showing a portion of the endless carrier which receives indicatingcards. Fig. 5 illustrates a modification of the transverse strip for holding the cards.

The reference numeral 1 designates the box, the general contour of which is similar to those in common use and having the usual pivoted and weighted cover 2. The front 3 of the box is formed with an elongated slot 4, through which are successively exposed indicating-cards 5, detachably secured to an endless carrier comprising endless sprocketchains 6 and 7, connected by transversely-arranged strips 8 and 9, (preferably of sheet metal,) bent to U shape in cross-section and oppositely disposed, as best shown in Fig. 4, to serve as guides or grooves for the detachable label cards or slips 5. The endless chains 6 and 7 pass over sprocket-wheels l0 and 11, mounted upon parallel shafts 12 and 13, supported in bearings formed in parallel standards l4 and 15, secured to the inner side of the front of the box. From each of the strips 8 projects a curved finger 16, adapted to be struck by the beveled head 17 on the end of a bell-crank lever 18, fulcrumed on a stud 19,

projecting from the front of the box. The short arm of the lever 18 is connected by a link 20 to an arm 21, projecting from the gate or door 22, hinged to the bottom of the box, said link being pivotally secured to both the lever and arm. A thumb-nut 23, fitting upon the threaded stud l9, secures the bell-crank lever upon said stud.

Below the slot 4 in the front of the casing is a rectangular frame 24, adapted to receive a card or strip of paper 25, containing printed weather forecasts. Three sides of the frame are fixed to the front of the box; but the fourth side of said frame is formed by a flange or bend 26, projecting from a plate 27, supported movably in parallel horizontal guideways 28, connected at their outer ends by a vertical guide 29. This plate 27 is connected by means of a link 30 with an arm 31, projecting from the door 22 below the arm 21.

By the construction above described it will be apparent that the opening of the door 22 will, through the medium of the link 20 and bell-crank lever 18,1'evolve the carrier to move one of the cards 5 away from the slot and present the next card opposite said slot. The opening of the door 22 will also, through the medium of the link 30, move the plate 27 outward, thus moving the end 26 of the frame away from the frame to permit the card 25 to be replaced by a new one, if desired.

The endless carrier is inclosed bya door 32, hinged at one side to the standard 14 and provided at the opposite side witha hinged flap 33, which is formed with a slot through which extends a staple or loop 34, projecting from the standard 15. This door, together with the standards 14 and 15, incases the endless carrier and the cards or labels affixed thereto, thus preventing the carrier from coming in contact with the contents of the box. The front of the box is also provided with frames 35, 36, and 37, adapted to receive no tices giving the rates .of postage,- fees for money-orders, or other information or advertising matter. Below the frame is arranged a frame 38, within which is supported a thermometer. At each side of the upper frame 36, in the front of the box, is a circular opening 39, within one of which is supported a clock 40, while the other is adapted to receive a scale-dia141, having a pointer 42, connected with a standard 43, which projects through the top of the box and supports a scale-platform 44 for weighing mail-matter.

The utility and convenience of the box constructed as above described are obvious, and the automatic changing of the notices of the hours of collecting by the opening of the door by the carrier or collector is a feature of importance.

I claim 1. The combination with aletter-box formed with an opening in one of its walls; of an endless carrier arranged Within the box provided withjprojections; and means for moving said carrier, comprising a lever adapted to contact with said projections, and a link connection between said lever and the door of the box.

. 2. The combination with a letter-box formed with an opening; of a carrier consisting of endless chains, and transverse strips connecting the chains provided with projections; means forrevolubly supporting said chains; and means for moving said carrier by the opening of the door of the box comprising a lever adapted to strike said projections.

3. The combination with a letter-box formed with an opening for the exposure of notices; of parallel horizontal shafts supported within the box; sprocket-wheels on said shafts; endless chains on said sprocket-Wheels; transverse strips connecting said chains, and provided with projecting fingers; a bell-crank lever having a projection adapted to strike said fingers successively; and a connection between said lever and the door of the box.

4. The combination with a letter-box formed with an opening for the exposure of notices; of parallel standards supported on the inner surface of the front wall of the box; horizontal shafts mounted in bearings formed in said standards; sprocket-Wheels on said shafts; endless chains passing around said sprocket-Wheels; transverse strips connecting said chains and adapted to support cards or labels and provided with projecting fingers; and means for moving said chains by the opening of the door of the box consisting of a lever having a projection adapted to strike the fingers.

5. The combination with a letter-box; of a frame arranged thereon adapted to receive a card or label; a movable plate supported on said box and forming a part of said frame; and a connection between said plate and the door of the box.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WARNER L. VESTAL.

Witnesses:

JAMES FLEMING, H. L. DREW. 

